Infection
Infection is a recognized risk of medical care, and the risk increases for patients who have catheters (tubes) inserted. Many infections in the hospital can be prevented by taking precautionary measures, such as:
- Following strict guidelines for inserting and using central venous catheters and other indwelling devices (tubes).
- Healthcare workers thoroughly cleaning their hands and the hospital environment
- Prescribing and using antibiotics appropriately
- Other practices shown to reduce infection
While not all infections are preventable, we can look at how we compare to other hospitals. This can help us identify areas where we may be able to improve, such as better preventing infections or treating them early if they do occur.
Below are our quality measures relating to infection and infection control:
Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), also referred to as Central Venous Catheter Associated Bloodstream Infections
Central line infection rates are monitored by several agencies and in different clinical areas and specialties. Because there are several measures for CLABSI, to distinguish each of them, the agency, or source, is listed in parenthesis after the CLABSI measure, where applicable.
- Safe insertion of central lines
- Central line-associated blood stream infection (NDNQI)
- Central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (IDPH)
- Central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (IDPH)
- Central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (IDPH)
- Central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections (AHRQ)
- Healthcare-associated bloodstream infections in newborns (UHC)
Infection Control
- Healthcare workers cleaning hands appropriately
- Hospital-acquired infection in neonatal intensive care
- Leapfrog Group: reduce infections in intensive care